Perfect imperfect: Brent Wadden weaves new works for his first UK solo show
Trained as a painter but introduced to weaving in Berlin in 2004, Canadian-born artist Brent Wadden decided three years ago to ditch paint entirely in favour of yarns. Each of his dazzling artworks is composed of individual geometric panels that are painstakingly woven by hand, on backstrap and floor looms from second-hand and leftover fibres. Stretched over raw canvas in graphic compositions, the abstract works that Wadden creates are characterised by their wobbly lines and errors. They are a celebration of the imperfect.
Citing First Nation, folk and Bauhaus textiles among his influences – as well as painting movements such as abstract expressionism – Wadden calls into question the hierarchies of media and disciplines with his work. In conversation with Nicolas Trembley earlier this year, Wadden commented,
'I liked the tension by having the weaving and the paintings in the same room, the language that existed or was created by having both of the things – something like oil painting, which most people would consider a high art or craft, and then the weavings which are like this lesser thing where the textiles could just be on the floor. People don't really respect them as art. It's more of a disposable medium and I wanted to create that dialogue in the gallery space between the two.'
Opened last week at London's Pace Gallery, Wadden's first solo exhibition in the UK features five new site-specific works that respond to the scale of the space at 6 Burlington Gardens. At first glance, they appear to be two-tone abstractions; but on closer inspection the kaleidoscope of colour found in the leftover acrylic, cotton and wool fibres is revealed.
'For me, my work is about patterning, and rhythm, and always making a mistake at some point throughout it,' Wadden tells Trembley. 'It’s not a mistake if you purposely do it, but there’s a rhythm that happens and there’s a format in which you think. There’s a formula that I’m using in each piece but there’s always a mistake that exists in the work, which I allow to happen.'
INFORMATION
’How Long is Now’ is on view until 31 October
ADDRESS
Pace Gallery
6 Burlington Gardens
London, W1S 3ET
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Remembering Richard Serra (1938-2024), American art’s man of steel
American artist Richard Serra, whose vast sculptures transformed landscapes around the world, has died aged 85
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Architectural gardens around the world to soothe the soul
From small domestic gardens, to nature reserves, urban interventions and local parks, here are some of the finest green projects that place nature at their heart
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Corfu hotel Domes Miramare redefines beachfront bliss
Make like Jackie O at Corfu hotel Domes Miramare, a property with contemporary luxury and echoes of 1960s glamour in spades
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Mingardo crafts candleholders as beacon of hope against cancer
‘A Flame for Research’, launching Milan Design Week, sees Italian metal designer Daniele Mingardo invite ten major talents, including Jaime Hayon, Patricia Urquiola, and Philippe Malouin, to create a candleholder in support of cancer research
By Shawn Adams Last updated
-
London Craft Week supports the maker community for 2020 showcase
From a day of global creativity to emerging designs uncovered, London Craft Week hones in on the reassuring nature of craft and the community
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
30 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize finalists show mastery with material
Loewe Foundation Craft Prize announces 30 global finalists for its annual award that celebrates contemporary makers
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
Genta Ishizuka wins the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2019
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Art and craft intertwine at Loewe's basketry exhibition in Milan
Eleven master weavers create limited edition objets d’art using Loewe leather for an exhibition during Salone del Mobile
By Blaire Dessent Last updated
-
Yorkshire's magnificent Harewood House opens its first craft Biennial
By Ali Morris Last updated
-
29 finalists of the Loewe Craft Prize 2019 announced
By Bethan Ryder Last updated
-
Discover the master craft behind Aldo Bakker’s sensual forms in New York
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated